Other less common pneumonias may be caused by the inhaling of food, liquid, gases or dust, or by fungi.

What are the symptoms of pneumonia?

In addition to the symptoms listed above, all pneumonias share the following symptoms. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

Fever

Chest or stomach pain

Decrease in appetite

Chills

Breathing fast or hard

Vomiting

Headache

Not feeling well

Fussiness

The symptoms of pneumonia may resemble other problems or medical conditions. Always consult your child's doctor for a diagnosis.

How is pneumonia diagnosed?

Diagnosis is usually made based on the season and the extent of the illness. Based on these factors, your doctor may diagnose simply on a thorough history and physical examination, but may include the following tests to confirm the diagnosis:

Blood tests. Blood count for evidence of infection; arterial blood gas to analyze the amount of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the blood.

Sputum culture. A diagnostic test performed on the material that is coughed up from the lungs and into the mouth. A sputum culture is often performed to determine if an infection is present.

Pulse oximetry. An oximeter is a small machine that measures the amount of oxygen in the blood. To obtain this measurement, a small sensor (like a Band-Aid) is taped onto a finger or toe. When the machine is on, a small red light can be seen in the sensor. The sensor is painless and the red light does not get hot.

Chest CT scan. A test that takes images of the structures in the chest

Bronchoscopy. A procedure used to look inside the airways of the lungs

Pleural fluid culture. A culture of fluid sample taken from the pleural space (space between the lungs and chest wall) to identify the bacteria that cause pneumonia

Treatment for pneumonia

Specific treatment for pneumonia will be determined by your child's doctor based on: